by Skylar Ward
“It depends on what time we get up,” Ace said.
“We are her grandparents, Ace,” Bonnie responded. “Don’t try to ration our access to Yasmine, we have rights.”
Ace kissed Bonnie’s cheek. “Mother, I will try my best to be there as early as I can, okay?”
“Thank you,” Bonnie replied.
Piper lifted Yasmine. “Tomorrow we will have a day of fun.”
Yasmine rested her head on Piper’s shoulder.
“Oh,” Bonnie said, “She loves her Aunt Piper.”
“Bye sweetheart,” Piper said.
“Bye, Aunt Piper.”
Witnessing the enthusiasm and love his family displayed for Yasmine and Efia, pleased Ace. He knew Yasmine’s bond with his family would be unbreakable. Ace inwardly sighed, now, if only I can find common ground with Kofi Kwateng?
Chapter 28
Sunday morning, the weather in Massachusetts was beautiful. The type of climate where the wind kisses the face, leaving one’s makeup dewy and intact. A fact seemingly not lost on Efia, as she smiled and put away her compact mirror.
Ace shook his head.
“What?”
“I swear, every day you get more beautiful,” he said. “How is that even possible?
Efia turned away.
“Don’t blush.”
“How would you know if I am blushing?” Efia asked.
“It’s all in the eyes, sweetheart,” Ace replied, “believe me on that.” He glanced through the window of the limousine. “We are here.”
Efia looked out the limousine's tinted window as several, well-dressed young women entered the restaurant. She turned to Ace. “You said this is your favorite spot, right?”
Ace smiled. “It used to be.”
He exited the vehicle and assisted Efia. When they entered the Oceanside restaurant, the place was abuzz with activity. Ace smirked as he scanned the room. He hadn’t visited the establishment since his premarital days, but not much had changed. The women were just as he remembered—model-thin and dressed to kill. The men, all rich—very rich. Sensing the many eyes tracking his movements, Ace kept his eyes ahead as he guided Efia through to the bar area.
Efia glanced over her shoulder. “Did you bring me here so these women could throw me into the ocean?”
“They are probably asking themselves who is that stunning lady, radiating such positive energy,” Ace replied.
Standing by the bar, Efia whispered, “Nice try, Davenport, but I am not buying it, these women want you.”
Ace brushed his lips over the shell of her ear. “And I want you.”
Efia shivered.
Someone cleared their throat. When the pair raised their heads, Drew was standing in front of them.
“It’s about time you showed up,” Ace said.
“Give me a break,” Drew said. “I am only ten minutes late.”
“Let us get seated,” Ace said. “Efia is hungry.”
Drew snapped his fingers in the air. “Harold, can we get a table over here?”
Mr. Palmer,” a bespectacled, older man yelled from across the room. “I didn’t know you were here.”
Harold made his way across the room. “Is that you, Mr. Davenport? I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Hi, Harold, how are you?” Ace said, shaking Harold’s hand.
“Let us get you guys seated. As you can see, nothing around here has changed.” Harold guided them to a four-seater booth near the wall in the crowded dining room. He removed three menus from the apron around his waist, placing them on the table. “Give me a holler when you are ready.”
“Will do,” Ace said.
Before Efia could sit, her phone rang. “It’s my dad, I have to take this. I will be back.”
Ace and Drew sat down. Ten minutes later when Efia reappeared, they stood.
“Darling, fancy seeing you here?” A familiar voice caught Ace’s attention.
Ace cringed when Efia turned, coming face-to-face with Haley Hollingsworth.
“Hello, Haley,“ Ace said. “How are you?”
“Why so formal, darling?” Haley cooed. “We are not enemies, are we?”
Efia kept her eyes fixed on Haley.
“Hi, Haley,” Drew said.
“Drew, it’s been a while. I see you have another friend. Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Drew glanced at Ace who remained deathly still.
“Why the hell not?” Drew said, moving beside Efia. He reached for Efia’s elbow. “This is …”
“You are a dead man,” Ace said with calm.
Drew laughed and dropped his arm.
“Haley, this is Efia Kwateng,” Ace said. “She is the mother of my daughter.” Ace reached for Efia’s waist, drawing her closer. “Sweetheart, this is Haley Hollingsworth.”
Efia and Haley shook hands.
When Haley released Efia’s hand, Haley’s gaze dropped to Efia’s purse—a far cry from the shiny blue, Hermes, matte crocodile Birkin bag, hanging in the crook of Haley’s arm. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of Haley’s lips, and she lifted her eyes to Ace’s face. Ace glared at Haley, regretting the moment he had bought the extravagant handbag. Haley’s lips thinned, and she lowered her lids.
Ace reached for Efia’s purse, holding on to it.
“Come, I am hungry,” Ace said, helping Efia into her seat. He sat down, placing Efia’s purse on his lap.
“I guess this is where we part company, Haley ” Drew said.
Haley gave Ace and Efia a scathing glance before giving Drew equal treatment. She gazed around the room, held her head high, and wandered off.
“Darling,” Efia drawled. “I think you can give me my handbag, now.”
Drew cackled, his face turning red. Ace narrowed his eyes at Drew and handed over the purse.
“Thank you,” Efia said. She took her bag, placing it on the vacant seat.
Ace reached across the table and lifted Efia’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “The pleasure is all mine,” he said.
“Can you keep it lite on the PDA?” Drew said. “I don’t want to lose my appetite.”
“No one stopped you from bringing a date,” Ace replied. “What happened to what’s her name?”
“She became a little too clingy,” Drew said. “We are on a break.”
Ace released Efia’s hand, and she picked up one of the menus, scanning the choices. “
What do you recommend?” she asked.
“The crab omelets with sausage hash is excellent,” Ace said.
“Is that what you are having?” Efia asked.
“Yes,” Ace said. “And the Boston cream pie.”
“Then, I will have the same,” Efia said.
Drew’s head popped up from his menu. “I guess I will join you.” He gazed across the table at Efia. “You eat like that and still manage to stay this fit?”
“I stay busy,” Efia said.
“You will be the envy of half these women here.” Drew scanned the room. “They are starving, but will only eat an egg white omelet, if that.”
“Is everything all right with your dad?” Ace asked.
“Yes,” Efia said. “He wanted to check on Yasmine.”
“I need your parent’s phone numbers.”
Efia lifted her eyebrows.
“Just in case of an emergency, Efia.” Ace said.
“Oh, okay,” Efia stammered. “I will text them to you.”
Harold appeared and took their orders before disappearing.
“Any word back on Newark?” Ace asked Drew.
Drew appeared taken aback that Ace had changed the topic to business. Eventually, Drew said, “The owner seems anxious to sell. I think we can make a deal.”
Ace turned his focus to Efia. “What do you think about opening a boutique hotel in Newark, New Jersey?”
“Who me?” Efia asked.
“Yes, you,” Ace said. “What do you think?
Efia paused for a few minutes as though collecting her thoughts
. “I like the idea,” she finally said. “I would add shuttle service to pick up and drop passengers off at the airport and to bring them to and from Manhattan.”
“Go on,” Ace said.
“Newark is a vibrant city,” Efia continued. “There is a lot to do there. New Jersey Performing Arts Center is always hosting events, and Newark Museum, plus the place is a real foodie town. Your marketing department can package the location and sell it to the overseas market who want another experience besides New York City. Plus, they can kill two birds with one stone with day trips into New York City.”
“There are several hotel chains there, already,” Ace said. “What do you think about the competition?”
“You don’t have to go after the same upper-mid-scale segment as them. Take it one notch up and go upscale. If you build it, the guests will come. You already have brand recognition.”
“You appear to be well tuned into Newark, Efia,” Drew said.
“Newark as a hotel mega was part of my Capstone project for my bachelor’s degree, so I still keep up with the area.”
“Newark is a go,” Ace said, turning sideways to Drew. “Shoot me over the final projections.”
“You will have them first thing in the morning,” Drew said.
A couple minutes later, Efia said, “Excuse me, I have to go to the ladies’ room.”
Ace and Drew stood.
“I will walk with you,” Ace said.
Efia rolled her eyes. “Darling, I can find the bathroom by myself.”
After Efia had walked off, Ace and Drew sat down.
“My God,” Drew said, “you are beaming like a sixteen-year-old who just found out the hottest girl in the class knows his name.”
Ace tried to school his expression, but he failed miserably.
“I finally get it,” Drew drawled. “For the longest while, I couldn’t imagine you two having anything in common outside of the bedroom.” He shook his head. “It’s not boring with her, is it?”
“Not at all,” Ace replied. “Don’t let Efia’s lack of so-called social standing, fool you.” He scanned the room. “She can run circles around the best of them.”
“I guess she is not unlike Jodi, once you scratch the surface,” Drew said.
“The same passion Jodi brought to her art, Efia brings to her job.” Ace smiled. “And of course like Jodi, Efia is not afraid to tell me to go screw myself. On the other hand, Efia has a dry sense of humor, which I find refreshing.”
Drew smiled. “How is the little one doing?”
“She is with my parents.” Ace shook his head. “I don’t deserve to be this happy. Efia and Yasmine have given me purpose.”
“The change in you is undeniable,” Drew said.
“Efia has some good ideas, ” Ace said. “I particularly like the ombudsmen idea, I spoke to you about. We need to consider where we can maximize profit by offering additional amenities.”
“I have spoken to the managers about implementing a suggestion box for the staff.”
“Good,” Ace responded. “We pay a fortune to outside firms for research, and the best intelligence is right under our noses.”
“I will get someone to do a feasibility study on the ombudsmen service,” Drew said.
“I have the perfect employee for this job.”
“Is this another case of nepotism?” Drew asked.
“Absolutely.” Ace grinned. “I don’t want my wife working any more crazy hours.”
Drew’s eyes widened like a deer caught in highlights.
“What’s that look for?” Ace asked.
Drew shook his head. “Nothing.”
“We will be moving shortly,” Ace said. “We have to get Yasmine settled into a new school and her new surroundings. Efia will never quit working. I need to create a position where she can have more flexibility.”
“How do you propose the company sells it to her?”
“I am thinking a leave of absence to work on this new project,” Ace said. “Hopefully, she’ll love it and won’t want to return to the crazy schedule.”
“Hi, guys,” Efia said.
“Oh, hi,” Ace and Drew said in unison.
Efia narrowed her eyes. “Are you guys all right?”
Chapter 29
As Ace and Efia settled into the back of the limousine in route to his parents’ home, Efia ran her hand along his thigh.
“Was Haley your love?” she asked.
Ace covered Efia’s hand, halting further progression. “She was my friend.”
“Is she the unfinished business you had here in Massachusetts?”
“Yes,” Ace replied.
Efia freed her hand from his and stared through the tinted window.
“There is no reason to be jealous, Efia. From the second, I saw you and Yasmine in the lobby at La Travesta Grand Hotel, it has only been you—no one else.”
“Can I assume you bought her that expensive purse?” Efia asked. “Is that why she felt the need to look down on my handbag?”
“That part of my life is behind me. Let us not dredge up the past.” Ace cupped Efia’s jaw. “I prefer to concentrate on us.”
Efia leaned her cheek into his palm. And Ace yanked her across the seat and into his lap. His mouth found hers, and he slipped his tongue between her lips, exploring her taste and relishing it.
Reluctantly, he dragged his mouth from hers and kissed her nose. He reached for the limo’s intercom. “Dominic, we are making a stop at the Coventry.” Next, he called his mother over the speaker.
“Yasmine is having a ball with her grandpa, Leyland, and Piper,” Bonnie said. “They are all taking turns driving.”
“With Leyland?” Ace asked in astonishment.
“Yes, “Bonnie replied. “I haven’t seen Leyland this animated in years. I don’t know who is having more fun, Leyland or Yasmine.”
“Interesting,” Ace said. “Thanks, Mother. We’ll see you later this evening. ”
<>
A little over an hour later, Ace pushed the door at the Coventry Boutique Hotel in Providence, one of the many hotels he owned.
He faced Efia.
“Is this your home away from home? she asked.
“No, this is where I slept after losing Jodi and Emma Francis. I kept this place out of the available database, just in case I needed it.”
“Is this where you brought Haley?” Efia asked.
Ace moved closer to Efia. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “No, only you.”
Efia opened her mouth and clamped her teeth around his finger. Ace dragged his hand away.
Efia giggled.
“You will pay for this,” Ace growled.
Efia dashed across the room in fits of laughter. Ace closed in, catching her around the waist. He hoisted her onto his hip, carrying her through to the next room. He tossed her onto the bed, causing her body to bounce. Kneeling on the bed, Ace reached for Efia’s hip, tugging her close.
“You are stunning,” he said.
“Thank you,” Efia said, reaching for Ace’s shirt.
In less than five minutes, they had shed their clothes. Naked, Ace stroked Efia’s nape and ran his hand along the length of her back. He flipped Efia over. He pulled a pointy nipple between his lips, clenching his teeth around the berry.
“Ouch,” Efia whimpered.”
Ace let go with a loud smack. He cupped her breast and blew on the nipple. “Better?”
“Umm.”
Ace slid his hand up her thigh, parting them slightly before slipping his finger between her folds.
“You are ready,” he whispered. “I love how your body responds to my touch.” Ace worked his finger deep into her channel before removing them. Taking Efia’s hand, he placed it on his rock-hard pole. “See what you do to me?”
Efia licked her lips and ran her hand along his member, coating it with his moisture. As she pumped his cock, he slipped two fingers into her cleft, stroking gently. He added a third, before removing his drenched fing
ers. He enjoyed her taste before pushing her hand away from his body. He flipped her over. Sliding lower on the bed, he traced the circumference of her ass with the tip of his tongue. Efia pounded her fists into the mattress as her ass clenched and shimmied. Using a feathered touch, Ace planted kisses over each mound.
“Damn! Damn! Damn!” Efia pounded each word into the bed.
Ace sunk his teeth into her firm flesh. Efia howled. Ace lifted his head, a wide grin on his face. Kneeling, he gently urged Efia to her knees. He parted her cheeks, and slipped into her body, plunging deep into her vaginal walls.
“OH, NO, OH,” Efia said between clenched teeth.
Ace angled himself, aiming for her pièce de résistance—that secret spot of hers that never failed to take her over the edge when stimulated. He stroked slowly. Efia’s eyes rolled in their sockets. He stroked harder. Her eyes closed tightly. Sensing she was near, he stroked deeper, ramping up the pace.
Efia’s dam broke. “Oh, God, Oh, God,” she panted.
Ace sank deeper into her center, enjoying the feel of her walls as they clenched and throbbed around his length and thickness. Soon, he felt himself free falling. His body shuddered, and he grunted her name. His movements calmed, and he groaned loudly. Falling forward, he slumped onto Efia’s back.
<>
Later in the evening, as the limousine rolled into Ace’s parents’ driveway, Efia admired the manicured evergreens in the front yard. The colonial home, although not as mammoth as Ace’s house was just as spectacular.
Pleasantly surprised that the weekend had been much better than she could have anticipated, Efia snuggled closer to Ace. Spending adult time with him away from his marital home was the perfect way to cap off their weekend getaway. Efia grinned when Piper appeared with Yasmine sitting on her hipbone.
She tapped Ace. “Look at our child, do you think her feet touched the ground while we were gone?”
“Probably not for long,” Ace replied.
Dominic opened the door, and Ace got out and assisted Efia.
“Did you have fun?” Ace asked as he followed Piper, Yasmine, and Efia into the house.
“I had lots of fun, Daddy,” Yasmine said.
“Good girl. Did you eat?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Ace hugged his parents and sister. “Okay, we have to go.” He took hold of Efia and Yasmine’s hands. “Let us go home.”